Obesity overview
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Obesity is a condition in which the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of humans and other mammals, is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality.
Although obesity is an individual clinical condition, it is increasingly viewed as a serious and growing public health problem: excessive body weight has been shown to predispose to various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis.[1][2]
Obesity is characterized as a state of excess adipose mass with abnormal increase of fat on the subcutaneous connective tissue. Obesity is generally gauged by the Body Mass Index(BMI). A high BMI is associated with a higher risk for potentially lethal medical problems.
| BMI (kg/m2) | |
| Appropriate Weight | 18.5-25 |
| Overweight | >25 |
| Obesity | >30 |
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Obesity from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Blood tests may be done to look for thyroid or hormone problems that could lead to weight gain.
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Surgery
Medical Therapy
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
References
- ↑ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults (PDF). International Medical Publishing, Inc. ISBN 1-58808-002-1.
- ↑ Haslam DW, James WP (2005). “Obesity”. Lancet. 366 (9492): 1197–209. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67483-1. PMID 16198769.
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